If you’re a homeowner and you don’t have an existing garage on your property, chances are you’ve thought about adding one. But what’s the best way to go about it? Should you build an attached garage or a detached one? Will this have an impact on your home value?
Both options have their pros and cons, so it’s important to weigh all your options before making a decision. Here’s a look at some key considerations to keep in mind when designing a garage for your home.
Attached vs. Detached Garages: The Pros and Cons
Each has its own set of pros and cons that you’ll need to consider before making a decision. Here’s a closer look:
Attached Garages: The Pros
● An attached garage is more convenient because it’s right there next to your home. This means you won’t have to go outside in bad weather to get to your car. In places like Boston or New England, where the winter is long and heavy snow is common, this can be a real bonus.
● An attached garage will also keep your car warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, which can save you money on fuel costs. Having your garage as an attached structure means it benefits from your central heating system. Considering it costs about $10 to heat a garage for 8 hours, over time this can be significant savings.
● An attached garage can also be less expensive to build than a detached one because you won’t have to build a separate foundation.
The Cons
● An attached garage can be noisy, especially if your bedroom is near or connected to it.
● It can also be difficult to heat an attached garage because they’re often not well insulated. There are many insulation options available, but it comes at an added cost.
● If your home ever catches on fire, an attached garage can make the fire spread more quickly.
Detached Garages: The Pros
● A detached garage gives you more flexibility in terms of where you put it on your property. Detached garages can maximize that space if you have a long, narrow property.
● A detached garage can also be used for storage, a workshop, or even a home office, allowing you to work/make noise without disturbing the rest of the house, whereas an attached garage is usually just for parking cars.
The Cons
● A detached garage will usually cost more to build than an attached one because you have to factor in the cost of building a separate foundation.
● It can also be more inconvenient to walk from your house to your car in bad weather.
Some ideas for your garage:
There are many different types of garages to choose from. Here are a few of the most common garage types:
1. The Standard Garage: This is the most basic type of garage, and it’s probably what comes to mind when you think of a garage. It’s a rectangular structure with a roof and walls, and it’s typically attached to or built next to your home. It’s also usually one of the cheapest to make, especially if you use one of those stainless steel kits.
2. The Lean-To Garage: This type of garage is very similar to the standard garage, but the roof slopes down at a 45-degree angle instead of being vertical. This is a good option if you have limited space or want to save money on construction costs.
3. The Gable End & Catslide: This type of garage has a higher gable end on one side with a steeper-angled rear catslide roof. It’s more efficient for heating, and you can even build this in a traditional one-bay oak garage style that pairs nicely with classic-looking homes.
4. The Two-Story Garage: This type of garage is just what it sounds like – it has two stories! The first story is typically used for parking cars or storing other items, while the second story can be used as a workshop, office, or even a living space.
5. The Modular Garage: This type of garage is perfect if you’re not sure how big your garage needs to be or if you want to be able to change its size in the future. It’s made up of modular panels that can be assembled in any configuration, so you can make it as large or small as you need.
Conclusion
So, which is better—an attached or detached garage? Ultimately, it depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you want something more convenient and easier on your budget, an attached garage might be the way to go. But if you’re looking for something more flexible and customizable, a detached garage could be the better option. Whichever route you choose, do your research first, so you end up with a space that meets all your needs.
